A grateful student returns as guest

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Actor Ananya, whose child-like smile has won her fans across south India, debuted in Mollywood with Positive in 2008. She became a household name in Tamil Nadu with Naadodigal and Engeyum Eppothum — the film fetched her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress–Tamil. She is presently shooting in Tollywood for director Raghevendra Rao’s Intintaa Annamayya, which will hit the screens only next year.

Ananya is also a two-time state archery champion from Kerala. The 25-year-old recently took part in the 25th Kerala State Archery Championship — she represented Ernakulam district — after a five-year sabbatical. She won the women’s compound event with a score of 466 and has qualified for the forthcoming national championship. Excerpts from an interview...

What did college teach you?

I didn’t get much chance to enjoy my college life as I started acting in films from the first year. I only attended college to participate in extracurricular activities like arts competitions, Onam celebrations and the like. It was mainly with the support of friends and teachers that I managed to cope up with the classes.

Your proudest moment in college.

I graduated in Communicative English from St Xavier’s College for Women in 2008. This year, I was invited as guest for a college function. It was really a proud moment when I went back to the college as a guest of honour and not as a mere student.

Have you had any embarrassing moments in college?

I have had no embarrassing moments in college. I was not even ragged by my seniors as I joined late.

How did you score points with the opposite gender?

St Xavier’s College for Women is a girls-only college. So I did not have to face such a situation.

Was bunking a part of your college routine?

I did not bunk lectures as I could attend college only for few days. So I made it a point to not miss the classes at least. There are times when I had to miss lectures to participate in cultural fests and art competitions.

Did you have any rifts with professors? Why?

I was friends with all and it was only because of the support from my teachers and friends that I managed both academics and a film career. For every project and class assignment, teachers explained to me how it is done and guided me till the end. When I attended college, I was present for all the lectures so professors had no issues with me or my performance in academics.

Where did you hang out in college with friends?

As such, there was no particular place to hang out with friends. One teacher or the other will always be there in the canteen. So it was not possible to sit there without being caught. We used to sit in the college auditorium at times.

What extracurricular activities were you involved in?

I liked to participate in singing, dance and mono-act competitions. I have won a couple of prizes for that. Then in beauty contests, I won Miss Best Smile Award and Malayali manga contest.